Our buddy Anthony Flores is launching his T-shirt line at Little Temple on Thursday night.  Check it out!

To celebrate the official unveiling of the Apollo Kids clothing brand,
Apollo Kids, Know The Ledge and StereoLove are throwing a Launch Party
@ Little Temple in LA with a special performance by Keys N Krates!

The re-inventors of the remix, Toronto’s native Keys N Krates make
their Los Angeles debut (as well as kick off their West Coast Tour) by
celebrating the launch of Apollo Kids clothing. With Apollo Kids'
revolutionary clothing line and Keys N Krates exceptionally stage
show, combing DJing and live instruments, they will have you
rethinking of the possibilities of Hip Hop and life in general. Also
on stage are Know
The Ledge’s own DJ Franchise and Little Temple’s resident Stereolove
DJs.

For more information about the event:
http://apollokidsonline.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/apollo-kids-launch-party-w-keys-n-krates/

For pics on the Apollo Kids' collection:
www.apollokidsonline.com/collections

www.apollokidsonline.com
www.keysnkrates.com
www.iknowtheledge.com
www.templebarlive.com/littletemple

- Erin

This week I spent a bit of time in Tokyo with the ol' buddies, Nobu and Taka of OBEY Japan. The crazies sure do come out of the woodwork whenever I visit, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for the good times boys, and thanks, Japan, for making me look like a giant behemoth next to all you 4 footers.

and of course, the crazies...

Nobu and Hiroko... Hai!

Action packed week, I tell ya. I even had the opportunity to play along side my favorite Japanese talent...

The party was poppin' as usual... so poppin', some of the ladies popped a squat and started playing patty cake. One chick grabbed a random blanket and parked right next to the speaker for a night cap. So tite!

DJ Kensei

Muro, all 7" set.

And as always... For a relaxing time...

Enjoy some Suntory Blandy, here... tonite with special guest Canyons from Australia. Woop!

Have a great weekend!

-Roamers

Shepard originally created the Close Knit spray painted stencil & mixed media collage on canvas for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

I chose to illustrate this image of two girls knitting (in a Rush Arts Education program) because I think it really captures the idea that learning art in schools is about more than crayon drawings -- it's about creativity, something that transcends all class and race boundaries. I think the joy of making something is universal, and it's an opportunity that every kid should have.

Tomorrow (8/20/09) the Obey Store will be releasing a signed/numbered edition out of 450 at a random time. The print will cost $50 with all profits going to the Rush Arts Charity.

Visit the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation
Visit Obey Giant

-CJ

At the age of 94 we lost Les Paul today. This man became an icon for his contribution to the music industry. His namesake guitar, produced by Gibson, has stood the test of time for more than five decades. A lesser known fact, Les is responsible for pioneering multitrack recording as well. Hooker, Frehley, Perkins, Slash, Wylde and Ness get their shred on to you my man. R.I.P. Mr. Paul........

-Chris

Last year, we released a special tee exclusively for our friends at The Crosby in Santa Ana CA and now they're available on shop.obeyclothing.com. Just to give you a little back story on how all this came about, The Crosby is a restaurant/bar and is home to our very own OBEY Radio every Friday hosted by Roam & Urth (OBEY Records). It's a night that took on it's own life with rotating residents: The Gaslamp Killer, DJ Pubes (Danceright LA), and Scotty Coats (Rong/DFA) along with weekly guest artists like Dam Funk, Flying Lotus, Wally Callerio and our very own Shepard Fairey. And the fun part is that we record every Friday, documenting sets we'll soon release for your audio enjoyment.

Tee's Available HERE

The graphic was designed by the Crosby owners, inspired by OBEY's Gigante origins and Santa Ana's Downtown Culture, melding it all together with a familiar custom wallpaper pattern that decorates the restaurant. Orale, guey!

Here's the actual Lucha Libre Mask they used for the graphic... custom made by The Crosby.

And a Reminder, Every Friday!

- Roams

Going on vacation next week to my home town in the dirty Jerz and came across this video from Wildwood, just down the way from home. This was such an epic era of people watching in Wildwood on the boardwalk. It's changed alot but the 80's and early 90's were insane. No this is not Heavy Metal Parking Lot. I just ordered the DVD too. Thanks to the fellas at the Regal Beagles for this.

-PUBES

Over the weekend I watched a movie that completely opened my eyes to a massacre that I have been unaware of until now. The Cove features Ric O'barry, dolphin trainer from the TV series Flipper-turned activist, and Louie Psihoyos from the Oceanic Preservation Society. Together they assemble a unique team of activists and infiltrate a secret cove in Taiji, Japan where 23,000 dolphins and porpoises are slaughtered and sold for their meat every year. This meat, carrying toxic levels of mercury, is then given to children in Taiji as part of their lunch program. It's also sold in markets labeled as whale meat.

The "lucky" one's who get to live the rest of their lives in captivity are sold for $154,000 per dolphin to dolphinariums around the world. Some affiliates of the international aquarium and zoo industry are connected to this slaughter, as they pay top dollar for dolphins that are fitting for commercial exploitation.

Most of the people in Japan aren't even aware that this is going on in their backyard because the Japanese government covers it up so elegantly. The fishermen see this dolphin hunt as "pest control."

If you're interested in expanding mind.. I'd suggest watching this over G.I. Joe any day.

Learn more about The Cove HERE

-CJ

A one night event with a handful of phenomenal artists. What a good way to spend $10 dollars on a Saturday night. Not to mention, there will be silent auctions for original pieces by Shepard Fairey and Jeff soto. All benefits are going to the Sea Sheperd Conservation Society.
(read more...)

-CJ

New cover Shep did for Rolling Stone. It's much more serious than his first iconic image and it gives a nice taste of his fine art style.

From NY DAILY NEWS "It's one thing to be running for president and it's another to be President and I think this new illustration that I did hopefully captures the complexity and the weight of his new role," Fairey said.

"Not only will we see how he performs, but also whether we as Americans will now help him and continue to push for the changes we asked for."
(read more...)

The August issue of Rolling Stones should be on newsstands Friday.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a mystery artist has been pasting Obama with a Heath Ledger makeover on the streets of LA. Some Slim coverage on Tammy's Blog.

I can't really hate on it since it covers up the pre-school handwriting that preceded it.. and it's pretty clever no matter what angle you take it from.  Hopefully directors see this and put Obama in the next Batman movie.

That's all for now. BARACK-N-ROLL!

-CJ

We have a bunch of new styles and washes of denim available this season so I figured I'd show all you fine folks out there what's in stock.

(in order) The Cortez, Shakedown Marble, Juvee Moderns

And new stuff for girls too!

(in order) Electric Soul (Shredded), Raw Love, Schooled

-PUBES

Our Northwest rep Burl Darden is one classy, stand up guy. Beyond that he's as strong as Vigo in Ghost Busters, his little swimmers are potent as seen by the baby produced below, and he has many untold talents. Dude can build about anything, including our first trade show booth and apparently he can ride bikes well too.

Anyway, Burl entered the "Win Rob's Bike" contest part of the Downieville Classic. Burl was picked to race against legendary skater and owner of Santa Cruz Bikes Rob Roskopp. You can read about it on the Santa Cruz Bikes site but Burl ended up winning Robs bike. He told me he was super nervous because he had never raced before and just didn't want to finish last. Here's some shots from the day.

Burl and Rob Roskopp

I was asking Burl about climbing hills on his bike and he said he loves it because eventually you go downhill. I guess you could look at it that way.

Feel the burn!

(Brake rotor burn)

HERE'S a little story about the OBEY/ Roskopp connection and how Burl got chosen to race.

and HERE'S a little account of the day's festivities and a bit on Burl winning the bike.

-PUBES